What is the purpose of a wrapper class in Java?

The purpose of a wrapper class in Java is to convert primitive types into objects. In Java, primitive data types (such as int, char, and boolean) are not objects and do not provide the benefits of object-oriented programming. Wrapper classes, such as Integer, Character, and Boolean, allow these primitive types to be treated as objects. This is essential in situations where objects are required, such as in collections like ArrayList that can only hold objects.

By providing a way to wrap primitive types into objects, wrapper classes enable methods and APIs that operate on objects to be used with primitive values. For instance, using a wrapper class allows for the use of primitive data in a generic context or enables methods that require objects to seamlessly work with primitive types. This functionality is crucial in many programming scenarios, especially when working with data structures that operate on collections of objects.

Other options, while related to wrapper classes, do not perfectly capture their primary purpose. Optimizing primitive data types for performance is not a primary function of wrapper classes. Enhancing primitive types with additional functionality or simplifying data manipulation may be indirect benefits but do not reflect the fundamental reason for the existence of wrapper classes in Java.